"Dyslexia occurs in at least one in 10 people, putting more than 700 million children and adults worldwide at risk of life-long illiteracy and social exclusion. Significant numbers of students with dyslexia go undiagnosed and their symptoms unaddressed, with tragic results, due largely to global lack of awareness and knowledge about this common learning difference."
With an ever-growing population of students with dyslexia, early interventions are a critical component in helping to reduce academic frustrations, failures and ultimately illiteracy. Often families can become overwhelmed when navigating through the Special Education Process and are unsure of where to turn to when they suspect their child may be dyslexic, which is where Decoding Dyslexia comes in.
What is Decoding Dyslexia?
Decoding Dyslexia is a network of parent-led grassroots movements across the country concerned with the limited access to educational interventions for dyslexia within the public education system. Decoding Dyslexia aims to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children and inform policy-makers on best practices to identify, remediate and support students with dyslexia.
Each state organizes and inspires its own local movement by networking with families and professionals to gain support for the Decoding Dyslexia mission. Decoding Dyslexia recognizes the power of the collective parent voice and work diligently to encourage individuals and organizations to partner and collaborate in the best interest of supporting families and advancing services for dyslexics.
Within the Decoding Dyslexia site you'll find a list of participating states. Once the state has been selected you'll have access to categorized information explaining dyslexia, state level legislation, calendar events, ways to become involved in supporting further state legislation, articles and more. Not sure what to ask, read some of the frequently asked questions to help get started. (The one hyperlinked will lead to the FAQs for Decoding Dyslexia NY). Each state offers similar resources, but some may vary. Therefore it is worthwhile to peruse other states to see if any materials are applicable.
As a starting point view the Decoding Dyslexia Parent Resource Packet, which includes an overview of dyslexia, a checklist of common signs of dyslexia, resource links for evaluations, providers and interventions and a dyslexia signs and symptoms matrix.
